As a beekeeper, you learn not to take every sting personally.

That was a constant refrain at the last “Celebration of the Priesthood” for Boston’s archbishop Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, who harvested honey as a seminarian.

Cardinal Sean, as he’s known in his blog and throughout Greater Boston, has experienced the hurt of leading the Catholic church out of near-ruin. He’s stepping down as archbishop after a two-decade run — with gratitude as a parting gift from Boston.

“He came at a time when he was badly needed,” said former Mayor Ray Flynn, onetime ambassador to the Vatican who joined 1,500 others to honor the humble cardinal this past week.

“He never let a sting deter him,” said Joe Nolan, CEO of Eversource, who co-chaired the annual celebration with the late Jack Connors.

But Wednesday night was different, and you could feel it in the hall.

It was a collective bow to this humble Capuchin friar who exhibited unyielding devotion — especially to children — while saving this city from rogue priests who preyed on the innocent.

The worst of the storm has passed and Cardinal Sean deserves credit for leading the way through. Nobody wanted the job, but O’Malley didn’t hide. It’s been a hardship for too many, but he changed the arc of history.

“I’m very grateful for having this privilege and being the shepherd for the people of Boston,” Cardinal Sean told the Herald just before the doors opened for the evening ceremony at the Omni Boston Seaport hotel. “It was hard to come to Boston, and it’s harder to leave.”

He’s still feeling the sting.

“There are many signs of hope and I feel good about things,” he quickly added.

The big question is, what about the future of Boston?

“We’re anxious to be able to share our faith with young people. We’re a very young city here and our new generation has not grown up in a religious culture that we had,” he added. “I see this as a challenge and an opportunity.”

He added, “Young people are open and searching,” and the church has “a mission” to connect.

The Census says the median age of a Boston resident is 33.3 years old. That’s young for a city of roughly 650,000.

A record $2.88 million was raised for the event, Nolan announced, and parish priests were honored guests. But it was Cardinal Sean who stood the tallest.

“He was the right guy at the right time,” said Rick Roche of Roche Bros. Supermarkets. You can’t disagree.

It was a night to step back and be thankful for what Cardinal Sean did for Boston, as he encouraged everyone to “move forward in hope.”

Bishop Richard Henning will take over as the new leader of the Archdiocese of Boston, Pope Francis has announced. Cardinal Sean will stay in the area and be pulled to Rome, for sure, as required.

“May God bless Boston,” Cardinal Sean said at the close of his speech.

It appears the sting has subsided.

And, in a tradition older than many can remember, he ended the night by singing the Latin hymn “Salve Regina,” with all the priests joining in unison in a moment sweet as honey.

“Queen, mother of mercy:
our life, sweetness, and hope, hail.”

The crisis in the Catholic Church still pains, but the healing has begun. One person can make a difference. Just ask Cardinal Sean.

Joe Dwinell is the executive editor of the Boston Herald.

Archbishop-designate Richard Henning, left, and Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley chat during the Celebration of the Priesthood event at Omni Seaport Hotel. (Kylie Cooper/Boston Herald)